News

Joseph J. Trad Honored by Missouri Lawyers Weekly

Lewis Rice attorney Joseph J. Trad has been honored by Missouri Lawyers Weekly for his plaintiffs' verdict in the case Gori v. Schmickle. He was recognized among other attorneys for securing the largest reported plaintiff verdicts or judgments in the state of Missouri last year. Prior to this honor, he was also listed in the National Law Journal's "Big Money Wins of 2013" for his efforts in this case.

Joe represented the plaintiffs, partners of an Edwardsville, IL asbestos law firm, who lost a combined $98,898 to Mr. Schmickle, an unlicensed commodities broker operating in Bolivar, MO. In a unanimous jury verdict, the Missouri Circuit Court for the County of Polk ordered defendant Eric Schmickle to pay $30 million in punitive damages to Randy Gori and Barry Julian in an investment fraud case. To read more on the verdict, click here.

As a member of Lewis Rice, Joe practices in the areas of bankruptcy and creditors' rights, banking litigation, and securities litigation. For more than 25 years, he has been a lender's "go-to" choice for handling its most troublesome restructurings and collections.


Throughout our Firm's history, Lewis Rice attorneys have made excellence the foundation of our practice. Founded in 1909, more than a century of service has given us the experience, resources and tools to serve our clients' dynamic needs. Our diverse team of more than 150 attorneys provides counsel and solutions for the challenges facing local, regional and national businesses, as well as individuals and families. Lewis Rice maintains offices in downtown St. Louis, suburban Town & Country, Washington and Jefferson City, Missouri and Edwardsville, Illinois. We also have offices in downtown Kansas City, Missouri and suburban Overland Park, Kansas.